Not-So-Haute Couture

In getting ready to resume the sewing part of my life, my Malachi posts have been moved to a new location, our family Gallery . It's the perfect place to see pictures of the wee lamb and there are also links to web albums and videos.

Since this my sewing blog, I've started another blog specifically to post family pictures. I'm calling it the Gallery and I think it's going to replace the Gallery at cheztamtay.net. It's a lot quicker to post to Blogger than it is to update the webpage. To the Gallery .

Free templates for Blogger

I'm fixin' to jump back into sewing mode, having been sidetracked by hurricane Katrina and resulting moral questions regarding self-responsibility (I'm a take care of me and mine, teach-a-man-to-fish, Free Republic kinda gal myself), and the imminent birth of our grandson. I also started a new hobby: Beading. So far I've made 2 pairs of earrings and replaced the irritating lobster-claw clasp of a necklace with a handy-dandy magnetic one that won't make me late for work. Beading and jewelry work is portable and can be done in the living room when I want to be in there with dh instead of at my sewing table. My faithful fitting double, Mrs. Dinky, has been patiently wearing my princess seam blouse fitting toile and soon I will take that project up again. Unique has emailed me asking for some measurements so they can re-draft my pants pattern. I've got a 15-yard bolt of blue cotton knit and a bunch 'o buttons on order from Trim Fabrics that will be turned into

These shoe boxes may be a better (cheaper) choice than these double shoe bins . Or there are these single shoe boxes . Must compare prices. I've also got huggable hangars on my radar. Can't forget to check ebay for this stuff when I'm ready to buy.

Ready-to-Wear not . I scored 3 nice cardigans (1 black, 1 gray and 1 lavender) at Ross for $9.99 apiece. They each had button-in white collars and cuffs, they accenuated my sloping shoulders and the sleeves were too long . I bought 'em anyway. I saw their potential as wardrobe builders. It's a riskto buy clothes that have to be altered for a good fit--not to be confused with clothes that would fit if you lost weight, which is NEVER a good idea. I mean buying clothes that fit, and would look and fit even better with a bit of work with a needle and thread: Hemming shortening straps taking a tuck at the waistline Inserting shoulder pads So I spent labor day weekend removing a gazillion buttons from the neckline and cuffs (something like 15 buttons per sweater), hemming the sleeves and inserting shoulder pads. Jojos even had the pads for 50% off! I took my time--I wasn't in a hurry about it. Just kept the mending stuff by my chair & took a few sitches every time I sat down

Dd Mandy is due in 10 days, so using the 2-week rule (baby can come any time 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after the due date) Malachi could be born any day now. Here's what I made for him: Blankets, decorated onesies (they say 'Kai'), washcloths and a coming home gown. Here's what we kept from when Mandy was a baby: I made the bunting for her to wear home: Her daddy bought her the Raiders outfit for her first game:

This blog , written by the crisis manager for an internet provider company, is a fascinating real-time account of the hurricane and subsquent sack of New Orleans.